URI seniors whove put off job search can
find help at URI Career Services e-fair

University to host first Last Chance
All Majors virtual job fair

KINGSTON, R.I. -- May 6, 2003 -- Youre a University of Rhode Island senior and you just havent had time to look for that first job with finals looming and part-time jobs chewing up much of your time.

Dont fret. URI Career Services has the answer with its Last Chance, All Majors eFair starting May 12 and running through May 23. It is open to graduating URI seniors, underclassmen, grad students and URI alumni. Current students can access the eFair through BEACON at the career website, http://career.uri.edu. The eFair is not open to the public.

Employers have been registering to participate since April 25 for the "Last Chance All Majors eFair." Their deadline is Friday, May 9, and employer registration can be completed at http://career.uri.edu. Audrey Tessier, recruiting coordinator, can be reached at atessier@uri.edu.

"This is another way for students to connect with employers," said Bobbi Koppel, URI director of Career Services. "This year we decided to try something new where busy students can access employers from their rooms, in the middle of the night, or from any web browser."
From the start of the school year, Career Services has held 14 "live" major events, including job fairs, a grad school expo and internship and summer job fairs.

"When we talked with students, they suggested that we hold the e-fair around finals and graduation. For the Class of 2003, were putting a notice in the commencement program. And just to reassure graduating students, we consider providing services through the summer and fall to the current class."

She said alumni who have been out a few years may also participate in the eFair; by calling her for a special access code at 401-874-5177.

Koppel said her department has mailed letters and contacted nearly 1,000 companies. The employer registration fees enables each company the opportunity to post unlimited jobs throughout the employer registration period. Employers can post full-time, part-time, summer jobs and internships.

Student job seekers will have round the clock access from May 12 through May 23 by also clicking on http://career.uri.edu and then hitting the BEACON icon and then selecting the eFair logo. If they are already registered on BEACON, they can go right to registration. If the student is new to the system, they enter their network ID in capital letters for access.

Koppel said students who have waited to start their job search should not be discouraged because there are some great opportunities in certain fields.

"Human Services, and any field in health care are very good areas right now, with nurses, pharmacists and human services employees in high demand." she said. In addition, construction, and defense and security related positions are growing.

"Accounting and financial services are also looking for graduates, and our teacher-education graduates are in demand across the country."

Koppel said that sales and marketing and many other industries are looking for liberal arts grads who are strong in written and verbal communication.

"Career Services is a full-service clearinghouse for job searches, and our career counselors are there to assist student job seekers," Koppel said. "Its not always easy to find your dream job right out of college, but we can help you take that first step."